1. A train operation control device, comprising: a beacon(201, 401, 501, 601) disposed along a track(2) and that transmits an own unique code stored in the beacon to a train(1) that travels on the track; a ground control unit(301) that supplies transmission information including a unique code of a beacon preceded by the beacon of interest through which the train passes to the train; and an on-board control unit(101) that determines whether the next beacon's unique code that the train receives from the ground control unit matches the next beacon's unique code that the train receives from the next beacon when the train passes through the next beacon and actives a brake control operation when these unique codes match.

2. The train operation control device according to claim 1, wherein the beacon(201) receives the transmission information from the ground control unit(301) and adds the unique code of the own beacon to the transmission information, and 45 the ground control unit(301) supplies the transmission information to the train through the beacon(201).

3. The train operation control device according to claim 2, wherein when the unique codes match, the on-board control unit(101) updates the next beacon's unique code stored in the on-board control unit with the next beacon's unique code included in the transmission information sent from the beacon(201, 401, 601) through which the train passes.

4. The train operation control device according to claim 1, wherein a first type beacon(201) receives the transmission information from the ground control unit(301), and a second type beacon(401) stores its own unique code and a unique code of a beacon preceded by a beacon through which the train passes and sends these unique codes to the train without receiving the information from the ground control unit(301).

5. The train operation control device according to claim 1, 46 wherein when the unique codes do not match, the onboard control unit(101) actives the brake control operation.

6. The train operation control device according to claim 1, wherein the on-board control unit(101) includes communication unit(3) communicable with the ground control unit(301), and the ground control unit(301) supplies the transmission information to the train(1) through the communication unit(3).

TITLE OF INVENTION
TRAIN OPERATION CONTROL DEVICE
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a control device,
in particular, to a control device that operates trains
according to operation information such as a train diagram.
2. Description of the Related Art
As a related art reference of the field of the
present invention, Japanese Patent No. 4832457 is
disclosed. This patent document describes an automatic
train control system. In this system, when a train passes
through a beacon, the train receives a code from the beacon
and transmits the code to a ground control unit. The
ground control unit determines whether the train needs to
activate a brake control operation for the train according
to a relationship between the beacon corresponding to the
received code and a beacon disposed in an allowable
traveling range of the train and transmits brake control
information to the train. The train activates a brake
according to the brake control information received from
the ground control unit.
Japanese Patent No. 3854528 discloses a train
control system and a train control method. According to
3
the system and method, a train correlatively stores codes
of beacons and their positions, derives a current position
of the train from a code of a beacon through which the
train is passing, and determines the position of the train.
In the system and method, information is transmitted
between the train and a radio base station.
In addition, a technique for transmitting and
receiving information between a plurality of units through
an information transmission unit such as a mobile phone, a
wireless LAN, or an LCX (Leaky Coaxial Cable) is well
known. In addition, a technique for providing a plurality
of information storage sections such as nonvolatile
memories and calculation sections such as CPUs, causing
them to implement the same process, collating results, and
if they do not match, determining that a defect occurs is
also well known as a technique for improving reliability of
a device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
To safely operate trains and prevent them from
colliding with the other, a range in which only each train
can travel is set as a block section. A brake instruction
needs to be delivered to a train approaching the block
section of a train of interest so that each train does not
travel in excess of the block section.
4
Thus, in Japanese Patent No. 4832457, the ground
control unit correlatively controls positions of beacons
and block sections so that when a train is approaching a
block section, the ground control unit can deliver the
brake instruction to the train. However, the system of
Japanese Patent No. 4832457 needs an information
transmission unit that transmits information between the
trains and the ground control unit. In addition, since the
information transmission unit needs to take time to
transfer information depending on a radio condition or the
like. Thus, a maximum delay time of an allowable
transmission time needs to be reflected as a delay time to
controlling of trains so that these trains do not travel
beyond the block sections. Thus, if the delay time is
large, a distance necessary to stop a train after it passes
through a beacon neighboring a block section until the
train receives the brake instruction and stops traveling
needs to be set to a large value. As a result, efficiency
of train operations lowers.
Thus, an information transmission unit that has
small delay times is required. To decrease delay times,
generally an information transmission unit that has a large
information transmission amount per unit time is required.
However, since such a unit is expensive, the cost of the
system is difficult to be reduced.
5
In Japanese Patent No. 3854528, since an on-board
unit stores information that represents a relationship
between codes and positions of the beacons, it does not
take time after a train passes through a beacon until the
radio base station identifies the position of the train.
However, if contents of the stored relational information
have an error such as a bit error, the train cannot
accurately determine its position.
Thus, a control unit with which a train is provided
needs to have high reliability. Generally, a unit having
high reliability is provided with a plurality of sets of
information storage sections and calculation sections and a
collation function. Thus, such a unit becomes complicated
and expensive. As a result, the cost of the system is
difficult to be reduced.
An object of the present invention is to safely
accomplish train operations at low cost.
To achieve the object, one of a representative train
operation control device of the present invention includes:
a beacon disposed along a track and that transmits an own
unique code stored in the beacon to a train that travels on
the track; a ground control unit that supplies transmission
information including a unique code of a beacon preceded by
the beacon of interest through which the train passes to
the train; and an on-board control unit that determines
6
whether the next beacon's unique code that the train
receives from the ground control unit matches the next
beacon's unique code that the train receives from the next
beacon when the train passes through the next beacon and
actives a brake control operation when these unique codes
match.
Since the present invention has the foregoing unit,
trains can be safely operated at low cost. In particular,
if a train travels in a wrong route, a brake control
operation can be activated for the train without a delay.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a structure of
units according to the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a relationship
of information processes according to the present
invention;
Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of
a flow chart describing a process of a train's departure
time determination function implemented by a ground control
unit according to the present invention;
Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of
a flow chart describing a process of a beacon's unique code
adding function of the ground control unit according to the
present invention;
7
Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of
a flow chart describing a process implemented by a beacon
that receives information from the ground control unit
according to the present invention and transmits a beacon's
unique code to a train;
Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of
a flow chart describing a process implemented by the beacon
that transmits a beacon's unique code to a train without
receiving information from the ground control unit
according to the present invention;
Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram showing an example of
a flow chart describing a process implemented by an onboard
control unit according to the present invention;
Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram showing an example of
a relationship between trains, stations, and departure
times of diagram information stored in the ground control
unit according to the present invention;
Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram showing an example of
a relationship of trains' unique codes, stations, and track
numbers of correlation information stored in the ground
control unit according to the present invention;
Fig. 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example in
which a train receives a beacon's unique code according to
the present invention through which the train will pass
next from the ground control unit;
8
Fig. 11 is a schematic diagram showing an example in
which a beacon according to the present invention stores a
beacon's unique code through which a train passes next;
Fig. 12 is a schematic diagram showing a
relationship of positions of beacons through which a train
travels according to an embodiment of the present
invention;
Fig. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a structure
of units in which information is transmitted between the
train and the ground control unit according to the present
invention;
Fig. 14 is a schematic diagram showing a
relationship of processes in which information is
transmitted between the train and the ground control unit
according to the present invention;
Fig. 15 is a schematic diagram showing an example of
a flow chart describing a process for the beacon's unique
code adding function implemented by the ground control unit
in which information is transmitted between the train and
the ground control unit according to the present invention;
Fig. 16 is a schematic diagram showing an example
describing a relationship between beacons' unique codes,
stations, and track numbers of correlation information
stored in the ground control unit in which information is
9
transmitted between the train and the ground control unit
according to the present invention;
Fig. 17 is a schematic diagram showing a
relationship between positions of beacons through which the
train is passing in which information is transmitted
between a train and the ground control unit according to an
embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 18 is a schematic diagram showing an example of
a flow chart describing a process implemented by the beacon
that transmits its own unique code to the train in which
information is transmitted between the train and the ground
control unit according to the present invention; and
Fig. 19 is a schematic diagram showing an example of
a flow chart describing a process for the on-board control
unit in which information is transmitted between the train
and the ground control unit according to the present
invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Next, with reference to the accompanying drawings,
embodiments of the present invention will be described.
First Embodiment
According to the present embodiment, a ground
control unit supplies information to a train through a
10
beacon according to diagram information so that the train
travels on a track.
Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of
a structure of a train operation control device according
to the present embodiment. A train 1 travels on a track 2.
A beacon 201 and a fixed-information-transmission type
beacon 401 are disposed along the track 2. The train 1
transmits and receives information from and to the beacon
201 and the fixed-information-transmission type beacon 401.
A ground control unit 301 is connected to the beacon 201
through a ground information transmission unit 4.
The train 1 includes an on-board control unit 101
and a brake unit 105. The on-board control unit 101
includes a calculation section 103 and an information
interface section 104. The beacon 201 includes a control
data storage section 202, a calculation section 203, and an
information interface section 204. The fixed-informationtransmission
type beacon 401 includes a control data
storage section 402, a calculation section 403, and an
information interface section 404. The ground control unit
301 includes a control data storage section 302, a
calculation section 303, and an information interface
section 304.
Among these members, the control data storage
section 202, the control data storage section 402, and the
11
control data storage section 302 store programs and data.
As these members, for example hard disk drives (HDDs),
solid-state drives (SSDs), and flash memories that are
known parts can be used.
The calculation section 103, the calculation section
203, and the calculation section 303 implement programs and
temporarily store intermediate control information. These
sections are for example CPUs of personal computers and
memories that are known parts.
The information interface section 104, the
information interface section 204, the information
interface section 404, and the information interface
section 304 transmit and receive information between each
member. These members are for example connectors of
Ethernet (trademark), USB ports, or the like that are known
parts.
The ground information transmission unit 4 is for
example a network using an optical fiber, a wireless
network of mobile phones, or the like that are known
communication unit.
A relationship of processes implemented by the
individual members shown in Fig. 1 will be described with
reference to Fig. 2.
The ground control unit 301 includes a beacon's
unique code storage section 312, a beacon's unique code
12
adding function 313, a beacon's information transmission
function 314, a diagram information storage section 315,
and a train's departure time determination function 316.
Among these members, the beacon's unique code storage
section 312 and the diagram information storage section 315
are disposed in the control data storage section 302 shown
in Fig. 1. The beacon's unique code adding function 313
and the train's departure time determination function 316
are functions implemented by the calculation section 303
shown in Fig. 1. The beacon's information transmission
function 314 is a function implemented by the information
interface section 304 shown in Fig. 1.
The beacon 201 includes a unique code storage
section 212, a unique code information adding function 213,
a ground control unit's information transmission function
214, and a ground/train information transmission function
215. Among these members, the unique code storage section
212 is disposed in the control data storage section 202
shown in Fig. 1. The unique code information adding
function 213 is a function implemented by the calculation
section 203. The ground control unit's information
transmission function 214 and the ground/train information
transmission function 215 are functions implemented by the
information interface section 204.
13
The fixed-information-transmission type beacon 401
includes a next beacon's unique code storage section 412, a
next beacon's unique code adding function 413, and the
ground/train information transmission function 215. Among
these members, the next beacon's unique code storage
section 412 is disposed in the control data storage section
402 shown in Fig. 1. The next beacon's unique code adding
function 413 is a function implemented by the calculation
section 403. The ground/train information transmission
function 215 is a function implemented by the information
interface section 404.
The on-board control unit 101 of the train 1
includes a beacon's unique code collation function 113 and
an on-board information transmission function 114. Among
these members, the beacon's unique code collation function
113 is a function implemented by the calculation section
103 shown in Fig. 1. The on-board information transmission
function 114 is a function implemented by the information
interface section 104.
Next, steps of processes implemented by the
individual units will be described with reference to flow
chart shown in the accompanying drawings. Each process is
a periodic process implemented after a predetermined time
elapses.
14
The train's departure time determination function
316 implemented by the ground control unit 301 determines
whether or not a train departs according to the diagram
information stored in the diagram information storage
section 315. Fig. 3 shows a flow chart of this process.
The process starts at step 2001. Thereafter, the
process advances to step 2002. At step 2002, information
that has not been implemented is derived from information
stored in the diagram information storage section 315.
Contents of the information stored in the diagram
information storage section 315 are shown in Fig. 8.
The information stored in the diagram information
storage section 315 includes departure station names,
departure track numbers, departure times, departure control
management flags, arrival station names, arrival track
numbers, arrival times, and arrival control management
flags corresponding to individual train numbers.
Thereafter, the process advances to step 2003. At step
2003, it is determined whether or not there is departure
information that has not been implemented. When the
determination result is Yes, the process advances to step
2004. When the determination result is No, the process
advances to step 2008. At step 2008, the process is
completed. The information stored in the diagram
information storage section 315 shown in Fig. 8 reveals
15
that information that has not been implemented is
information of "train number 11A, departure station B, ..."
and later information. Since there is information that has
not been implemented, the process advances to step 2004.
At step 2004, a departure time of the departure information
that has not been implemented is derived from the present
time and the information stored in the diagram information
storage section 315. The present time can be derived from
clock information of a personal computer or the like that
is a known technique. Now, it is assumed that the present
time is "10:10:30".
In addition, a departure time of the departure
information that has not been implemented is derived from
the information stored in the diagram information storage
section 315 shown in Fig. 8 and becomes "10:10:00".
Thereafter, the process advances to step 2005. At step
2005, it is determined whether or not the present time is
later than the departure time. When the determination
condition is satisfied, the process advances to step 2006.
When the condition is not satisfied, the process advances
to step 2003. Since the present time is "10:10:30" and the
departure time is "10:10:00", the determination condition
is satisfied. Thus, the process advances to step 2006. At
step 2006, a train number, a departure station, a track
number of the departure station, a next station, and a
16
track number of the next station is derived from the
information stored in the diagram information storage
section 315. Train number "11A", departure station
"Station B", departure station's track number "Outbound
Track No. 1", next station "Station C", next station's
track number "Outbound Track No. 1" are derived from the
information shown in Fig. 8. Thereafter, the process
advances to step 2007. At step 2007, the beacon's unique
code adding function 313 is caused to implement a departure
control operation for the track number of interest. The
derived information is handed over to the beacon's unique
code adding function 313. As a result, the departure
information becomes "implemented". Thus, at step 2007,
information of train number "11A", departure station
"Station B", departure station's track number "Outbound
Track No. 1", next station "Station C", next station's
track number "Outbound Track No. 1" is handed over to the
beacon's unique code adding function 313. In addition, the
departure management flag of the information stored in the
diagram information storage section 315 shown in Fig. 8 is
set to "implemented". After step 2007, the process returns
to step 2003. At step 2003, the process is repeated.
The beacon's unique code adding function 313 derives
a unique code of a beacon through which the train passes
next from the beacon's unique code storage section 312 and
17
adds the beacon's unique code to information of train
number "11A", departure station "Station B", departure
station's track number "Outbound Track No. 1", next station
"Station C," next station's track number "Outbound Track
No. 1" determined to be implemented by the train's
departure time determination function 316. Fig. 4 shows a
flow chart of this process.
The process starts at step 3001. Thereafter, the
process advances to step 3002. At step 3002, the train's
departure time determination function 316 determines
whether there is a departure control operation to be
implemented. When there is a departure control operation
to be implemented, the process advances to step 3003. When
there is no departure control operation to be implemented,
the process advances to step 3006. At step 3006, the
process is completed. In this case, the train's departure
time determination function 316 has determined that there
is a departure control operation to be implemented as
information of train number "11A", departure station
"Station B", departure station's track number "Outbound
Track No. 1", next station "Station C", next station's
track number "Outbound Track No. 1", the process advances
to step 3003. At step 3003, a beacon' name and a beacon's
unique code corresponding to the departure control
18
operation to be implemented are derived from information
stored in the beacon's unique code storage section 312.
Fig. 9 shows the information stored in the beacon's
unique code storage section 312. As shown in Fig. 9, the
beacon's unique code storage section 312 stores a
relationship of names of beacons, departure stations,
arrival stations, arrival track numbers, and unique codes
of next beacons. Thus, information of beacon's name "021",
departure station "Station B", departure track number
"Outbound Track No. 1", arrival station "Station C",
arrival track number "Outbound Track No. 1", and next
beacon's unique code "0x2222" that matches information of
train number "11A", departure station "Station B",
departure station's track number "Outbound Track No. 1",
next station "Station C", next station's track number "
Outbound Track No. 1" in departure stations, departure
track numbers, arrival stations, and arrival track numbers
is derived from the train's departure time determination
function 316. Thereafter, the process advances to step
3004. At step 3004, the beacon's information transmission
function 314 causes the beacon of interest to transmit the
train departure information and the next beacon's unique
code. In this case, the train departure information and
next beacon's unique code "0x2222" derived at step 3003 are
transmitted to beacon "021". Assuming that the train
19
departure information is "0x0101" and the train nodeparture
information is "0x0000", information handed over
to beacon "021" through the beacon's information
transmission function 314 is train departure information
"0x0101" and next beacon's unique code "0x2222".
Thereafter, the process advances to step 3005. At step
3005, it is determined whether there is a train departure
operation to be implemented in those determined by the
train's departure time determination function 316. When
there is a departure control operation that has not been
implemented, the process returns to step 3003. When there
is no departure control operation to be implemented, the
process advances to step 3006. At step 3006, the process
is completed. In this example, the train's departure time
determination function 316 generates one set of
information. Thus, since there is no departure control
operation to be implemented, the process is completed at
step 3006.
Fig. 12 shows a relationship of positions of the
beacons 201 and the fixed-information-transmission type
beacons 401 through which the train 1 passes when it
departs from track number "Outbound Track No. 1" of
departure station "Station B" and arrives at track number
"Outbound Track No. 1" of next station "Station C". Fig.
12 also shows their names. First, the case that the name
20
of the beacon 201 is "021" will be described. The ground
control unit 301 hands over train departure information
"0x0101" and next beacon's unique code "0x2222" to the
beacon 201 having beacon's name "021".
When the ground control unit's information
transmission function 214 of the beacon 201 receives
information from the ground control unit 301, the unique
code information adding function 213 adds a unique code
stored in the unique code storage section 212 to the
received information and transmits the resultant
information to the train 1 through the ground/train
information transmission function 215. Fig. 5 shows a flow
chart of a process implemented by these members.
The process starts at step 4001. Thereafter, the
process advances to step 4002. At step 4002, it is
determined whether or not train departure information has
been received from the ground control unit 301. When the
determination result is Yes, the process advances to step
4003. When the determination result is No, the process
advances to step 4006. At step 4006, the process is
completed. In this example, since information that the
ground control unit 301 hands over to beacon "021" is train
departure information "0x0101" and next beacon's unique
code "0x2222", the process advances to step 4003. At step
4003, the train departure information and the next beacon's
21
unique code are derived. Since information that the ground
control unit 301 hands over to beacon "021" is train
departure information "0x0101" and next beacon's unique
code "0x2222", the train departure information and the next
beacon's unique code become "0x0101" and "0x2222",
respectively. Thereafter, the process advances to step
4004. At step 4004, the unique code information adding
function 213 adds a unique code stored in the unique code
storage section 212 to the derived information.
Fig. 10 shows a unique code stored in the unique
code storage section 212. As shown in Fig. 10, unique code
"0x2121" is added to train departure information "0x0101"
and next beacon's unique code "0x2222". Thereafter, the
process advances to step 4005. At step 4005, the derived
train departure information, the unique code stored in the
beacon, and the derived next beacon's unique code are
transmitted to the train 1. Thereafter, the process
advances to step 4005. At step 4005, the process is
completed. Information transmitted to the train 1 is given
by the following formula, Formula (1).
Train Departure Information + Unique Code + Next
Beacon's Unique Code = [0x0101] [0x2121] [0x2222] ...
Formula (1)
In addition, the next beacon's unique code adding
function 413 of the fixed-information-transmission type
22
beacon 401 derives the beacon's unique code of interest
from the next beacon's unique code storage section 412 and
transmits the derived unique code to the train 1 through
the ground/train information transmission function 215.
Fig. 6 shows a flow chart of a process implemented by these
members. The process starts as step 5001. Thereafter, the
process advances to step 5002. At step 5002, a beacon's
unique code is derived from the next beacon's unique code
storage section 412. Fig. 11 shows a beacon's unique code
stored in the next beacon's unique code storage section
412. As shown in Fig. 11, beacon's unique code "0x2222"
and next beacon's unique code "0x3333" are derived.
Thereafter, the process advances to step 5003. At step
5003, the unique code stored in the beacon of interest and
the next beacon's unique code are transmitted to the train
1. Thereafter, the process advances to step 5004. At step
5004, the process is completed. The information
transmitted to the train 1 is given by the following
formula, Formula (2).
Unique Code + Next Beacon's Unique Code = [0x2222]
[0x3333]
... Formula (2)
The on-board control unit of the train 1 receives
information from the beacon 201 and the fixed-informationtransmission
type beacon 401 through the on-board
23
information transmission function 114 and hands over the
derived information to the beacon's unique code collation
function 113.
Next, a process implemented by the beacon's unique
code collation function 113 will be described with
reference to a flow chart shown in Fig. 7. First, the case
that information is received from the beacon 201 will be
described.
The process starts at step 1001. Thereafter, the
process advances to step 1002. At step 1002, it is
determined whether information is received from the beacon
201 or the fixed-information-transmission type beacon 401.
When information has been received, the process advances to
step 1003. When information has not been received, the
process advances to step 1007. At step 1007, the process
is completed. In this case, since information has been
received from the beacon 201, the process advances to step
1003. At step 1003, Formula (1) is applied. At step 1003,
a new beacon's unique code and a new next beacon's unique
code are derived from the received information. According
to Formula (1), new beacon's unique code "0x2121" and new
next beacon's unique code "0x2222" are derived.
Thereafter, the process advances to step 1004. At step
1004, it is determined whether or not the new beacon's
unique code matches a stored next beacon's unique code. In
24
this case, since a stored next beacon's unique code has not
yet described, this determination will be described when
information is received from the fixed-informationtransmission
type beacon 401 that is the next beacon. When
these unique codes match, the process advances to step
1006. When these unique codes do not match, the process
advances to step 1005. At step 1005, a brake instruction
is output to the brake unit 105. Thereafter, the process
advances to step 1006. At step 1006, the beacon's unique
code is updated with the new next beacon's unique code.
Since new next beacon's unique code "0x2222" has been
derived in this process, the next beacon's unique code is
updated with "0x2222". Thereafter, the process advances to
step 1007. At step 1007, the process is completed.
Next, the case that information is received from the
fixed-information-transmission type beacon 401 will be
described. This process starts at step 1001. Thereafter,
the process advances to step 1002. At step 1002, it is
determined whether information has been received from the
beacon 201 or the fixed-information-transmission type
beacon 401. When information has been received, the
process advances to step 1003. When information has not
been received, the process advances to step 1007. At step
1007, the process is completed. In this case, since
information has been received from the fixed-information25
transmission type beacon 401, at step 1003, Formula (2) is
applied. At step 1003, a new beacon's unique code and a
new next beacon's unique code are derived from the received
information. According to Formula (2), new beacon's unique
code "0x2222" and new next beacon's unique code "0x3333"
are derived from the received information. Thereafter, the
process advances to step 1004. At step 1004, it is
determined whether or not the next beacon's unique code
matches a stored next beacon's unique code.
Since next beacon's unique code "0x2222" has been
received from the beacon 201, the stored next beacon's
unique code is "0x2222". New beacon's unique code "0x2222"
is collated with stored next beacon's unique code "0x2222".
In this case, since both the unique codes are "0x2222" and
they match, the process advances to step 1006. At step
1006, the next beacon's unique code is updated with new
next beacon's unique code "0x3333". Thereafter, the
process advances to step 1007. At step 1007, the process
is completed.
Thus, it is clear that when the train 1 travels
according to the information generated by the ground
control unit 301, the brake unit 105 of the train 1 does
not operate.
Next, the case that the train 1 does not travel
according to information generated by the ground control
26
unit 301 is described. In Fig. 12, the case that the train
1 departs before it receives information from the beacon
201 will be described.
When the train 1 departs before it receives
information from the beacon 201, the train 1 travels
without receiving information of Formula (1). Thus, the
train 1 travels without a next beacon's unique code in the
foregoing example.
When the train 1 receives information from the
fixed-information-transmission type beacon 401, the train 1
processes information of Formula (2). At step 1004 of the
flow chart shown in Fig. 7, it is determined whether or not
the new beacon's unique code matches a stored next beacon's
unique code. Since the train 1 has not received
information from the beacon 201, the train 1 has not stored
a next beacon's unique code. However, since there is new
beacon's unique code "0x2222", these unique codes do not
match. Thus, the process advances to step 1005. At step
1005, a brake instruction is issued to the brake unit 105.
The flow chart shown in Fig. 7 reveals that the brake unit
105 is activated without necessity of executing a time
consuming process such as information transmission to
another unit when the train 1 receives information from the
fixed-information-transmission type beacon 401.
27
Thus, even if the train 1 does not travel according
to information generated by the ground control unit 301,
when information is received from the fixed-informationtransmission
type beacon 401, it is clear that the brake
unit 105 is activated and thereby the train 1 is stopped.
As described above, when the train 1 does not travel
according to information generated by the ground control
unit 301, the brake unit 105 is activated. In contrast,
when the train 1 travels according to information generated
by the ground control unit 301, the brake unit 105 is not
activated. Thus, when the train 1 travels in other than a
correct route according to information generated by the
ground control unit 301, the train 1 can be braked without
a delay.
Second Embodiment
A second embodiment of the present invention is a
structure in which information is transmitted between a
train 1 and a ground control unit 301 not through a beacon
201 as an information transmission unit will be described.
Fig. 13 is a schematic diagram showing an example of
a structure of a train operation control device according
to the present embodiment. The train 1 travels on a track
2. A next-information non-transmission type beacon 501 and
a next-information-transmission type beacon 601 are
disposed along the track 2. The train 1 transmits and
28
receives information between the next-information nontransmission
type beacon 501 and the next-informationtransmission
type beacon 601. The ground control unit 301
is connected to a ground communication unit 5.
The train 1 includes an on-board control unit 101, a
brake unit 105, and an on-board communication unit 3. The
on-board control unit 101 includes a calculation section
103 and an information interface section 104. The nextinformation
non-transmission type beacon 501 includes a
control data storage section 502, a calculation section
503, and an information interface section 504. The nextinformation-
transmission type beacon 601 includes a control
data storage section 602, a calculation section 603, and an
information interface section 604. The ground control unit
301 includes a control data storage section 302, a
calculation section 303, and an information interface
section 304.
The on-board communication unit 3 and the ground
communication unit 5 transmit and receive information to
and from the other. Among these members, the control data
storage section 502, the control data storage section 602,
and the control data storage section 302 store programs and
data. As these members, for example hard disk drives
(HDDs), solid-state drives (SSDs), and flash memories that
are known parts can be used.
29
The calculation section 103, the calculation section
203, and the calculation section 303 execute programs and
temporarily store intermediate control information. These
sections are for example CPUs of personal computers and
memories that are known parts.
The information interface section 104, the
information interface section 504, the information
interface section 604, and the information interface
section 304 transmit and receive information between each
member. These members are for example connectors of
Ethernet (trademark), USB ports, or the like that are known
parts.
The on-board communication unit 3 and the ground
communication unit 5 may be a known communication unit for
example a wireless network such as mobile phones, wireless
LAN, LCX, or the like.
A relationship of processes implemented by the
individual members shown in Fig. 13 will be described with
reference to Fig. 14.
The ground control unit 301 includes a beacon's
unique code storage section 312, a beacon's unique code
adding function 313, a departure information transmission
function 321, a diagram information storage section 315,
and a train's departure time determination function 316.
Among these members, the beacon's unique code storage
30
section 312 and the diagram information storage section 315
are disposed in the control data storage section 302 shown
in Fig. 13. The beacon's unique code adding function 313
and the train's departure time determination function 316
are functions implemented by the calculation section 303
shown in Fig. 13. The departure information transmission
function 321 is a function implemented by the information
interface section 304 shown in Fig. 13.
The next-information non-transmission type beacon
501 includes a unique code storage section 212, a next
unique code information adding function 513, and a
ground/train information transmission function 215. Among
these members, the unique code storage section 212 is
disposed in the control data storage section 502 shown in
Fig. 13. The next unique code information adding function
513 is a function implemented by the calculation section
503. The ground/train information transmission function
215 is a function implemented by the information interface
section 504.
The next-information-transmission type beacon 601
includes a next beacon's unique code storage section 412, a
next beacon's unique code adding function 413, and the
ground/train information transmission function 215. Among
these members, the next beacon's unique code storage
section 412 is disposed in the control data storage section
31
602 shown in Fig. 13. The next beacon's unique code adding
function 413 is a function implemented by the calculation
section 603. The ground/train information transmission
function 215 is a function implemented by the information
interface section 604.
The on-board control unit 101 of the train 1
includes a beacon's unique code collation function 113 and
an on-board information transmission function 114. Among
these members, the beacon's unique code collation function
113 is a function implemented by the calculation section
103 shown in Fig. 13. The on-board information
transmission function 114 is a function implemented by the
information interface section 104.
Next, steps of processes implemented by the
individual units will be described with reference to flow
charts shown in the accompanying drawings. Each process is
a periodic process implemented after a predetermined time
elapses.
The train's departure time determination function
316 implemented by the ground control unit 301 determines
whether or not the train departs according to the diagram
information stored in the diagram information storage
section 315. Fig. 8 shows a flow chart of this process.
Contents of this process are the same as those of the first
embodiment.
32
The beacon's unique code adding function 313 derives
a unique code of a beacon through which the train passes
next from the beacon's unique code storage section 312 and
adds the beacon's unique code to information of train
number "11A", departure station "Station B", departure
station's track number "Outbound Track No. 1", next station
"Station C," next station's track number "Outbound Track
No. 1" determined to be implemented by the train's
departure time determination function 316. Fig. 15 shows a
flow chart of this process.
The process starts at step 6001. Thereafter, the
process advances to step 6002. At step 6002, the train's
departure time determination function 316 determines
whether or not there is a departure control operation to be
implemented. When there is a departure control operation
to be implemented, the process advances to step 6003. When
there is no departure control operation to be implemented,
the process advances to step 6006. At step 6006, the
process is completed. In this case, since the train's
departure time determination function 316 has determined
that there is a departure control operation to be
implemented as information of train number "11A", departure
station "Station B", departure station's track number
"Outbound Track No. 1", next station "Station C", next
station's track number "Outbound Track No. 1", the process
33
advances to step 6003. At step 6003, a beacon's unique
code corresponding to the departure control operation to be
implemented is derived from information stored in the
beacon's unique code storage section 312.
Fig. 16 shows information stored in the beacon's
unique code storage section 312.
As shown in Fig. 16, since the beacon's unique code
storage section 312 stores a relationship of departure
stations, departure track numbers, arrival stations,
arrival track numbers, and next beacons' unique codes,
information of departure station "Station B", departure
track number "Outbound Track No. 1", arrival station
"Station C", arrival track number "Outbound Track No. 1",
and next beacon's unique code "0x2222" that matches
information of train number "11A", departure station
"Station B", departure station's track number "Outbound
Track No. 1", next station "Station C", next station's
track number " Outbound Track No. 1" in departure stations,
departure track numbers, arrival stations, and arrival
track numbers is derived from the train's departure time
determination function 316. Thereafter, the process
advances to step 6004. At step 6004, the departure
information transmission function 321 is caused to transmit
the train departure information and the next beacon's
unique code. In this case, the train departure information
34
and next beacon's unique code "0x2222" derived at step 6003
are transmitted. Assuming that the train departure
information is "0x0101" and the train no-departure
information is "0x0000", information handed over to the
ground communication unit 5 through the departure
information transmission function 321 is train departure
information "0x0101" and next beacon's unique code
"0x2222".
Thereafter, the process advances to step 6005. At
step 6005, it is determined whether there is a train
departure operation to be implemented in those determined
by the train's departure time determination function 316.
When there is a departure control operation that has not
been implemented, the process returns to step 6003. When
there is no departure control operation to be implemented,
the process advances to step 6006. At step 6006, the
process is completed.
The ground communication unit 5 transmits
information to the on-board communication unit 3. As a
result, the on-board communication unit 3 of the train 1
receives train departure information "0x0101" and next
beacon's unique code "0x2222".
Fig. 17 shows a relationship of positions of the
next-information non-transmission type beacons 501 and the
next-information-transmission type beacons 601 through
35
which the train 1 passes when it departs from track number
"Outbound Track No. 1" of departure station "Station B" and
arrives at track number "Outbound Track No. 1" of next
station "Station C". Fig. 17 also shows their names.
First, the next-information non-transmission type beacon
501 will be described.
The next unique code information adding function 513
of the next-information non-transmission type beacon 501
derives a unique code from the unique code storage section
212 and transmits the derived unique code to the train 1
through the ground/train information transmission function
215. Fig. 18 shows a flow chart of a process implemented
by these members.
The process starts at step 7001. Thereafter, the
process advances to step 7002. At step 7002, the beacon's
unique code of interest is derived from the unique code
storage section 212. Fig. 10 shows a unique code stored in
the unique code storage section 212. As shown in Fig. 10,
beacon's unique code "0x2121" as a unique code is derived.
Thereafter, the process advances to step 7003. At step
7003, the unique code stored in the beacon of interest is
transmitted to the train 1. Thereafter, the process
advances to step 7004. At step 7004, the process is
completed. Thus, information transmitted to the train 1 is
given by the following formula, Formula (3).
36
Unique Code = [0x2121] ... Formula (3)
The process implemented by the next-informationtransmission
type beacon 601 is the same as the process
implemented by the fixed-information-transmission type
beacon 401 shown in Fig. 1 according to the first
embodiment. The next-information-transmission type beacon
601 transmits information given by Formula (2) to the train
1.
The on-board control unit of the train 1 receives
information from the next-information non-transmission type
beacon 501 and the next-information-transmission type
beacon 601 through the on-board information transmission
function 114 and hands over the received information
generated by the ground control unit to the beacon's unique
code collation function 113. A process implemented by the
beacon's unique code collation function 113 will be
described with reference to a flow chart shown in Fig. 19.
First, the case that information is received from the nextinformation
non-transmission type beacon 501.
The process starts at step 8001. Thereafter, the
process advances to step 8002. At step 8002, it is
determined whether information is received from the nextinformation
non-transmission type beacon 501 or the nextinformation-
transmission type beacon 601. When information
has been received, the process advances to step 8003. When
37
information has not been received, the process advances to
step 8004. In this case, since information has been
received from the next-information non-transmission type
beacon 501, the process advances to step 8003. At step
8003, Formula (3) is applied. At step 8003, a new beacon's
unique code and a new next beacon's unique code are derived
from the received information. According to Formula (3),
new beacon's unique code "0x2121" is derived. Thereafter,
the process advances to step 8004. At step 8004, it is
determined whether or not the on-board communication unit 3
has received information. When the on-board communication
unit 3 has received information, the process advances to
step 8005. When the on-board communication unit 3 has not
received information, the process advances to step 8006.
In this case, since the on-board communication unit 3 has
received train departure information "0x0101" and next
beacon's unique code "0x2222" from the ground communication
unit 5, the process advances to step 8005. At step 8005,
next beacon's unique code "0x2222" is derived. Thereafter,
the process advances to step 8006.
At step 8006, it is determined whether a new
beacon's unique code or a new next beacon's unique code has
been derived. When a unique code has been derived, the
process advances to step 8007. When a unique code has not
been derived, the process advances to step 8010. At step
38
8010, the process is completed. Since new next beacon's
unique code "0x2121" and new next beacon unique code
"0x2222" have been derived in this process, the process
advances to step 8007.
At step 8007, it is determined whether or not the
new beacon's unique code matches a stored next beacon's
unique code. In this case, since a stored next beacon's
unique code has not yet described, this determination will
be described when information is received from the nextinformation-
transmission type beacon 601 that is the next
beacon. When these unique codes match, the process
advances to step 8009. When these unique codes do not
match, the process advances to step 8008. At step 8008, a
brake instruction is output to the brake unit 105.
Thereafter, the process advances to step 8009.
At step 8009, the beacon's unique code is updated
with the new next beacon's unique code. Since new next
beacon's unique code "0x2222" has been derived in this
process, the next beacon's unique code is updated with
"0x2222". Thereafter, the process advances to step 8010.
At step 8010, the process is completed.
Next, the case that information is received from the
next-information-transmission type beacon 601 will be
described.
39
This process starts at step 8001. Thereafter, the
process advances to step 8002. At step 8002, it is
determined whether information has been received from the
next-information non-transmission type beacon 501 or the
next-information-transmission type beacon 601 In this
case, since information has been received from the nextinformation-
transmission type beacon 601, the process
advances to step 8003. At step 8003, Formula (2) is
applied. At step 8003, a new beacon's unique code and a
new next beacon's unique code are derived from the received
information. According to Formula (2), new beacon's unique
code "0x2222" and new next beacon's unique code "0x3333"
are derived from the received information.
Thereafter, the process advances to step 8004. At
step 8004, it is determined whether or not the on-board
communication unit 3 has received information. In this
case, since the on-board communication unit 3 has not
received information, the process advances to step 8006.
At step 8006, it is determined whether a new
beacon's unique code or a new next beacon's unique code has
been received. In this case, since new beacon's unique
code "0x2222" and new next beacon's unique code "0x3333"
are derived have been received, the process advances to
step 8007.
40
At step 8007, it is determined whether or not the
new beacon's unique code matches a stored next beacon's
unique code. Since next beacon's unique code "0x2222" has
been received from the next-information non-transmission
type beacon 501, the stored next beacon's unique code is
"0x2222". New beacon's unique code "0x2222" is collated
with stored next beacon's unique code "0x2222". In this
case, since both the unique codes are "0x2222" and they
match, the process advances to step 8009. At step 8009,
the next beacon's unique code is updated with new next
beacon's unique code "0x3333". Thereafter, the process
advances to step 8010. At step 8010, the process is
completed.
Thus, it is clear that when the train 1 travels
according to the information generated by the ground
control unit 301, the brake unit 105 of the train 1 does
not operate.
Next, the case that the train 1 does not travel
according to information generated by the ground control
unit 301. In Fig. 12, the case that the train 1 departs
without receiving information from the ground control unit
301 through the on-board communication unit 3 will be
described.
When the train 1 departs without receiving
information from the ground control unit 301, the train 1
41
travels without receiving information of Formula (3).
Thus, the train 1 travels without a next beacon's unique
code in the foregoing example.
When the train 1 receives information from the nextinformation-
transmission type beacon 601, the train 1
processes information of Formula (2). At step 8007 of the
flow chart shown in Fig. 19, it is determined whether or
not the new beacon's unique code matches a stored next
beacon's unique code. Since the train 1 has not received
information from the ground control unit 301, the train 1
has not stored a next beacon's unique code. However, since
there is new beacon's unique code "0x2222", these unique
codes do not match. Thus, the process advances to step
8008. At step 8008, a brake instruction is issued to the
brake unit 105. The flow chart shown in Fig. 19 reveals
that the brake unit 105 is activated without necessity of
implementing a time consuming process such as information
transmission to another unit when the train 1 receives
information from the next-information-transmission type
beacon 601.
Thus, it is clear that even if the train 1 does not
travel according to information generated by the ground
control unit 301, when information is received from the
next-information-transmission type beacon 601, the brake
unit 105 is activated and thereby the train 1 is stopped.
42
As described above, when the train 1 does not
travels as instructed by the ground control unit 301, the
brake unit 105 is activated. In contrast, when the train 1
travels as instructed by the ground control unit 301, the
brake unit 105 is not activated. Thus, when the train 1
travels in other than a correct route as instructed by the
ground control unit 301, the train 1 is braked without a
delay.
The present invention is not limited to the
foregoing embodiments. The present invention may include
various modifications of these embodiments. The foregoing
embodiments describe the present invention in details so
that it can be easily understood. The embodiments of the
present invention are not limited to those that have all
the structures that have been described. In addition, a
part of the structure of one embodiment may be substituted
with the structure of another embodiment. Alternatively,
the structure of one embodiment may be added to the
structure of another embodiment. A part of the structure
of each embodiment may be added to, subtracted from, and/or
substituted with the structure of another embodiment. In
addition, part or all of each of structures, functions, a
processing section, and a processing unit may be
implemented by hardware such as designing of an integrated
circuit. Alternatively, the foregoing structures,
43
functions, and so forth may be implemented by software in
which a processor interprets a program that implements
these functions and executes them. Information of
programs, tables, files, and so forth that implement
individual functions may be stored in a record medium such
as a memory, a hard disk, an SSD (Solid State Drive), an IC
card, an SD card, or a DVD.
44

We claim:
1. A train operation control device, comprising:
a beacon(201, 401, 501, 601) disposed along a
track(2) and that transmits an own unique code stored in
the beacon to a train(1) that travels on the track;
a ground control unit(301) that supplies
transmission information including a unique code of a
beacon preceded by the beacon of interest through which the
train passes to the train; and
an on-board control unit(101) that determines
whether the next beacon's unique code that the train
receives from the ground control unit matches the next
beacon's unique code that the train receives from the next
beacon when the train passes through the next beacon and
actives a brake control operation when these unique codes
match.
2. The train operation control device according to
claim 1,
wherein the beacon(201) receives the transmission
information from the ground control unit(301) and adds the
unique code of the own beacon to the transmission
information, and
45
the ground control unit(301) supplies the
transmission information to the train through the
beacon(201).
3. The train operation control device according to
claim 2,
wherein when the unique codes match, the on-board
control unit(101) updates the next beacon's unique code
stored in the on-board control unit with the next beacon's
unique code included in the transmission information sent
from the beacon(201, 401, 601) through which the train
passes.
4. The train operation control device according to
claim 1,
wherein a first type beacon(201) receives the
transmission information from the ground control unit(301),
and
a second type beacon(401) stores its own unique code
and a unique code of a beacon preceded by a beacon through
which the train passes and sends these unique codes to the
train without receiving the information from the ground
control unit(301).
5. The train operation control device according to
claim 1,
46
wherein when the unique codes do not match, the onboard
control unit(101) actives the brake control
operation.
6. The train operation control device according to
claim 1,
wherein the on-board control unit(101) includes
communication unit(3) communicable with the ground control
unit(301), and
the ground control unit(301) supplies the
transmission information to the train(1) through the
communication unit(3).